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Palash Sarkar

Publications and source records attributed to Palash Sarkar.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Constructions of Efficiently Implementable Boolean Functions with Provable Nonlinearity/Resiliency/Algebraic Immunity Trade-Offs

We describe several families of efficiently implementable Boolean functions achieving provable trade-offs between resiliency, nonlinearity, and algebraic immunity. In particular, the following statement holds for each of the function families that we propose. Given integers $m_0\geq 0$, $x_0\geq 1$, and $a_0\geq 1$, it is possible to construct an $n$-variable function which has resiliency at least $m_0$, linear bias (which is an equivalent method of expressing nonlinearity) at most $2^{-x_0}$ and algebraic immunity at least $a_0$; further, $n$ is linear in $\max(m_0,x_0,a_0)$, and the function can be implemented using $O(n)$ 2-input gates, which is essentially optimal.

cs.CR

On the Codebook Design for NOMA Schemes from Bent Functions

Uplink grant-free non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) is a promising technology for massive connectivity with low latency and high energy efficiency. In code-domain NOMA schemes, the requirements boil down to the design of codebooks that contain a large number of spreading sequences with low peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) while maintaining low coherence. When employing binary Golay sequences with guaranteed low PAPR in the design, the fundamental problem is to construct a large set of $n$-variable quadratic bent or near-bent functions in a particular form such that the difference of any two is bent for even $n$ or near-bent for odd $n$ to achieve optimally low coherence. In this work, we propose a theoretical construction of NOMA codebooks by applying a recursive approach to those particular quadratic bent functions in smaller dimensions. The proposed construction yields desired NOMA codebooks that contain $6\cdot N$ Golay sequences of length $N=2^{4m}$ for any positive integer $m$ and have the lowest possible coherence $1/\sqrt{N}$.

math.CO

The Grain Family of Stream Ciphers: an Abstraction, Strengthening of Components and New Concrete Instantiations

The first contribution of the paper is to put forward an abstract definition of the Grain family of stream ciphers which formalises the different components that are required to specify a particular member of the family. Our second contribution is to provide new and strengthened definitions of the components. These include definining new classes of nonlinear Boolean functions, improved definition of the state update function during initialisation, choice of the tap positions, and the possibility of the linear feedback shift register being smaller than the nonlinear feedback shift register. The third contribution of the paper is to put forward seven concrete proposals of stream ciphers by suitably instantiating the abstract family, one at the 80-bit security level, and two each at the 128-bit, 192-bit, and the 256-bit security levels. At the 80-bit security level, compared to the well known Grain~v1, the new proposal uses Boolean functions with improved cryptographic properties \textit{and} an overall lower gate count. At the 128-bit level, compared to ISO/IEC standard Grain-128a, the new proposals use Boolean functions with improved cryptographic properties; one of the proposals require a few extra gates, while the other has an overall lower gate count. At the 192-bit, and the 256-bit security levels, there are no proposals in the literature with smaller gate counts.

cs.CR

Vectorised Hashing Based on Bernstein-Rabin-Winograd Polynomials over Prime Order Fields

We introduce the new AXU hash function decBRWHash, which is parameterised by the positive integer $c$ and is based on Bernstein-Rabin-Winograd (BRW) polynomials. Choosing $c>1$ gives a hash function which can be implemented using $c$-way single instruction multiple data (SIMD) instructions. We report a set of very comprehensive hand optimised assembly implementations of 4-decBRWHash using avx2 SIMD instructions available on modern Intel processors. For comparison, we also report similar carefully optimised avx2 assembly implementations of polyHash, an AXU hash function based on usual polynomials. Our implementations are over prime order fields, specifically the primes $2^{127}-1$ and $2^{130}-5$. For the prime $2^{130}-5$, for avx2 implementations, compared to the famous Poly1305 hash function, 4-decBRWHash is faster for messages which are a few hundred bytes long and achieves a speed-up of about 16% for message lengths in a few kilobytes range and improves to a speed-up of about 23% for message lengths in a few megabytes range.

cs.CR

The Nonlinear Filter Model of Stream Cipher Redivivus

The nonlinear filter model is an old and well understood approach to the design of secure stream ciphers. Extensive research over several decades has shown how to attack stream ciphers based on this model and has identified the required security properties of the Boolean function used as the filtering function to resist such attacks. This led to the problem of constructing Boolean functions which provide adequate security \textit{and} at the same time are efficient to implement. Unfortunately, over the last two decades no fully satisfactory solutions to this problem appeared in the literature. The lack of good solutions has effectively led to the nonlinear filter model becoming more or less obsolete. This is a big loss to the cryptographic design toolkit, since the great advantages of the nonlinear filter model are its simplicity, well understood security and the potential to provide low cost solutions for hardware oriented stream ciphers. In this paper, we revive the nonlinear filter model by constructing appropriate Boolean functions which provide required security and are also efficient to implement. We put forward concrete suggestions of stream ciphers which are $\kappa$-bit secure against known types of attacks for $\kappa=80$, 128, 160, 192, 224 and 256. For the 80-bit and the 128-bit security levels, the gate count estimates of our proposals compare quite well to the famous ciphers Trivium and Grain-128a respectively, while for the 256-bit security level, we do not know of any other stream cipher design which has such a low gate count.

cs.CR

Use of Simple Arithmetic Operations to Construct Efficiently Implementable Boolean functions Possessing High Nonlinearity and Good Resistance to Algebraic Attacks

We describe a new class of Boolean functions which provide the presently best known trade-off between low computational complexity, nonlinearity and (fast) algebraic immunity. In particular, for $n\leq 20$, we show that there are functions in the family achieving a combination of nonlinearity and (fast) algebraic immunity which is superior to what is achieved by any other efficiently implementable function. The main novelty of our approach is to apply a judicious combination of simple integer and binary field arithmetic to Boolean function construction.

cs.CR

Multiple Spectrally Null Constrained Complete Complementary Codes of Various Lengths Over Small Alphabet

Complete complementary codes (CCCs) are highly valuable in the fields of information security, radar and communication. The spectrally null constrained (SNC) problem arises in radar and modern communication systems due to the reservation or prohibition of specific spectrums from transmission. The literature on SNC-CCCs is somewhat limited in comparison to the literature on traditional CCCs. The main objective of this paper is to discover several configurations of SNC-CCCs that possess more flexibility in their parameters. The proposed construction utilised the existing CCCs and mutually orthogonal sequences. The proposed construction can cover almost all lengths with the smallest alphabets $\{-1,0,1\}$. Further, the idea of SNC-CCC is extended to multiple SNC-CCC with an inter-set zero cross-correlation zone (ZCCZ). Based on our construction, we can also control the correlation value outside the ZCCZ. The beauty of the obtained codes have aperiodic and periodic inter-set ZCCZ and low cross-correlation side-lobs.

cs.IT

A Further Investigation on Complete Complementary Codes from $q$-ary Functions

This research focuses on constructing $q$-ary functions for complete complementary codes (CCCs) with flexible parameters. Most existing work has primarily identified sufficient conditions for $q$-ary functions related to $q$-ary CCCs. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to establish both the necessary and sufficient conditions for $q$-ary functions, encompassing most existing CCCs constructions as special cases. For $q$-ary CCCs with a length of $q^m$ and a set size of $q^{n+1}$, we begin by analyzing the necessary and sufficient conditions for $q$-ary functions defined over the domain $\mathbb{Z}_q^m$. Additionally, we construct CCCs with lengths given by $L = \prod_{i=1}^k p_i^{m_i}$, set sizes given by $K = \prod_{i=1}^k p_i^{n_i+1}$, and an alphabet size of $ν= \prod_{i=1}^k p_i$, where $p_1 < p_2 < \cdots < p_k$. To achieve these specific parameters, we examine the necessary and sufficient conditions for $ν$-ary functions over the domain $\mathbf{Z}_{p_1}^{m_1} \times \cdots \times \mathbf{Z}_{p_k}^{m_k}$, which is a subset of $\mathbb{Z}_ν^m$ and contains $\prod_{i=1}^k p_i^{m_i}$ vectors. In this context, $\mathbf{Z}_{p_i}^{m_i} = \{0, 1, \ldots, p_i - 1\}^{m_i}$, and $m$ is the sum of $m_1, m_2, \ldots, m_k$. The $q$-ary and $ν$-ary functions allow us to cover all possible length sequences. However, we find that the proposed $ν$-ary functions are more suitable for generating CCCs with a length of $L = \prod_{i=1}^k p_i^{m_i}$, particularly when $m_i$ is coprime to $m_j$ for some $1 \leq i \neq j \leq k$. While the proposed $q$-ary functions can also produce CCCs of the same length $L$, the set size and alphabet size become as large as $L$, since in this case, the only choice for $q$ is $L$. In contrast, the proposed $ν$-ary functions yield CCCs with a more flexible set size $K\leq L$ and an alphabet size of $ν<L$.

math.CO

Fast Low Level Disk Encryption Using FPGAs

A fixed length tweakable enciphering scheme (TES) is the appropriate cryptographic functionality for low level disk encryption. Research on TES over the last two decades have led to a number of proposals many of which have already been implemented using FPGAs. This paper considers the FPGA implementations of two more recent and promising TESs, namely AEZ and FAST. The relevant architectures are described and simulation results on the Xilinx Virtex 5 and Virtex 7 FPGAs are presented. For comparison, two IEEE standard schemes, XCB and EME2 are considered. The results indicate that FAST outperforms the other schemes making it a serious candidate for future incorporation by disk manufacturers and standardisation bodies.

cs.CR

Construction of Complete Complementary Codes over Small Alphabet

Complete complementary codes (CCCs) play a vital role not only in wireless communication, particularly in multicarrier systems where achieving an interference-free environment is of paramount importance, but also in the construction of other codes that necessitate appropriate functions to meet the diverse demands within today's landscape of wireless communication evaluation. This research is focused on the area of constructing $q$-ary functions for both of {traditional and spectrally null constraint (SNC) CCCs}\footnote{When no codes in CCCs having zero components, we call it as traditonal CCCs, else, we call it as SNC-CCCs in this pape.} of flexible length, set size and alphabet. We construct traditional CCCs with lengths, defined as $L = \prod_{i=1}^k p_i^{m_i}$, set sizes, defined as $K = \prod_{i=1}^k p_i^{n_i+1}$, and an alphabet size of $q=\prod_{i=1}^k p_i$, such that $p_1<p_2<\cdots<p_k $. The parameters $m_1, m_2, \ldots, m_k$ (each greater than or equal to $2$) are positive integers, while $n_1, n_2, \ldots, n_k$ are non-negative integers satisfying $n_i \leq m_i-1$, and the variable $k$ represents a positive integer. To achieve these specific parameters, we define $q$-ary functions over a domain $\mathbf{Z}_{p_1}^{m_1}\times \cdots \times \mathbf{Z}_{p_k}^{m_k}$ that is considered a proper subset of $\mathbb{Z}_{q}^m$ and encompasses $\prod_{i=1}^k p_i^{m_i}$ vectors, where $\mathbf{Z}_{p_i}^{m_i}=\{0,1,\hdots,p_i-1\}^{m_i}$, and the value of $m$ is derived from the sum of $m_1, m_2, \ldots, m_k$. This organization of the domain allows us to encompass all conceivable integer-valued length sequences over the alphabet $\mathbb{Z}_q$. It has been demonstrated that by constraining a $q$-ary function that generates traditional CCCs, we can derive SNC-CCCs with identical length and alphabet, yet a smaller or equal set size compared to the traditional CCCs.

cs.IT

A Lower Bound on the Constant in the Fourier Min-Entropy/Influence Conjecture

We describe a new construction of Boolean functions. A specific instance of our construction provides a 30-variable Boolean function having min-entropy/influence ratio to be $128/45 \approx 2.8444$ which is presently the highest known value of this ratio that is achieved by any Boolean function. Correspondingly, $128/45$ is also presently the best known lower bound on the universal constant of the Fourier min-entropy/influence conjecture.

cs.CC

New Correlation Bound and Construction of Quasi-Complementary Code Sets

Quasi-complementary sequence sets (QCSSs) have attracted sustained research interests for simultaneously supporting more active users in multi-carrier code-division multiple-access (MC-CDMA) systems compared to complete complementary codes (CCCs). In this paper, we investigate a novel class of QCSSs composed of multiple CCCs. We derive a new aperiodic correlation lower bound for this type of QCSSs, which is tighter than the existing bounds for QCSSs. We then present a systematic construction of such QCSSs with a small alphabet size and low maximum correlation magnitude, and also show that the constructed aperiodic QCSSs can meet the newly derived bound asymptotically.

cs.IT

On Using Proportional Representation Methods as Alternatives to Pro-Rata Based Order Matching Algorithms in Stock Exchanges

The first observation of the paper is that methods for determining proportional representation in electoral systems may be suitable as alternatives to the pro-rata order matching algorithm used in stock exchanges. The main part of our work is to comprehensively consider various well known proportional representation methods and analyse in details their suitability for replacing the pro-rata algorithm. Our analysis consists of a theoretical study as well as simulation studies based on data sampled from a distribution which has been suggested in the literature as models of limit orders. Based on our analysis, we put forward the suggestion that the well known Hamilton's method is a superior alternative to the pro-rata algorithm for order matching applications.

econ.GN

Counting unate and balanced monotone Boolean functions

We show that the problem of counting the number of $n$-variable unate functions reduces to the problem of counting the number of $n$-variable monotone functions. Using recently obtained results on $n$-variable monotone functions, we obtain counts of $n$-variable unate functions up to $n=9$. We use an enumeration strategy to obtain the number of $n$-variable balanced monotone functions up to $n=7$. We show that the problem of counting the number of $n$-variable balanced unate functions reduces to the problem of counting the number of $n$-variable balanced monotone functions, and consequently, we obtain the number of $n$-variable balanced unate functions up to $n=7$. Using enumeration, we obtain the numbers of equivalence classes of $n$-variable balanced monotone functions, unate functions and balanced unate functions up to $n=6$. Further, for each of the considered sub-class of $n$-variable monotone and unate functions, we also obtain the corresponding numbers of $n$-variable non-degenerate functions.

math.CO

Construction of Spectrally-Null-Constrained Zero-Correlation Zone Sequences with Flexible Support

In recent years, traditional zero-correlation zone (ZCZ) sequences are being studied due to support interference-free quasi-synchronous code division multiple access (QS-CDMA) systems. However, in cognitive radio (CR) network, it is desirable to design ZCZ sequences having spectral null constraint (SNC) property to achieve low spectral density profile. This paper focuses on the construction of SNC-ZCZ sequences having flexible support, where support refers to a collection of indices corresponding to non-zero entries in the sequence. The proposed SNC-ZCZ sequences reduce to traditional ZCZ sequences when the size of the support becomes equal to the length of the sequence. To obtain ZCZ sequences, we first propose construction of traditional/SNC-Complete complementary codes (SNC-CCCs) using a class of extended Boolean functions (EBFs). With the help of this class we propose another class of EBFs that generates asymptotically optimal traditional/SNC-ZCZ sequences of prime-power lengths with respect to Tang-Fan-Matsufuzi bound. Furthermore, a relation between the second-order cosets of first-order generalized Reed-Muller code and the proposed traditional ZCZ sequences is also established.

cs.IT

Influence of a Set of Variables on a Boolean Function

The influence of a variable is an important concept in the analysis of Boolean functions. The more general notion of influence of a set of variables on a Boolean function has four separate definitions in the literature. In the present work, we introduce a new definition of influence of a set of variables which is based on the auto-correlation function and develop its basic theory. Among the new results that we obtain are generalisations of the Poincaré inequality and the edge expansion property of the influence of a single variable. Further, we obtain new characterisations of resilient and bent functions using the notion of influence. We show that the previous definition of influence due to Fischer et. al. (2002) and Blais (2009) is half the value of the auto-correlation based influence that we introduce. Regarding the other prior notions of influence, we make a detailed study of these and show that each of these definitions do not satisfy one or more desirable properties that a notion of influence may be expected to satisfy.

cs.IT

Simpson's Paradox: A Singularity of Statistical and Inductive Inference

The occurrence of Simpson's paradox (SP) in $2\times 2$ contingency tables has been well studied. The present work comprehensively revisits this problem using a combination of philosophical reflections, causal considerations, and probability theory. The first contribution is to provide a schematic analysis of SP in $2\times 2$ contingency tables and present new results, detailed proofs of previous results and a unifying view of the important examples of SP that have been reported in the literature. The second contribution of the paper suggests a new perspective on the surprise element of SP, raises some critical questions regarding the influential causal analyses of SP and provides a broad perspective on logic, probability, and statistics with SP at its center. The upshot of this research is that we need both causal concepts and statistical tools coupled with philosophical analyses to sort out issues regarding SP.

math.ST